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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

The prayer for a son.

Happy Tuesday! My quiet child, Mabel, says "Good morning!"

Well, technically Nora is still quiet because she is still asleep. Braden, however, is never quiet. But you all already know that. We've been at it for 2 1/2 hours already and his mouth hasn't stopped moving yet. Demanding chocolate milk, books read and yelling when greeted with any response other than that which he wants to hear.

I'm reading a book right now called, 'To train up a child.' Just like with any book, other than the Word, I look at it like a tasty chicken. I take in the meat and spit out the bones. In other words, there are always parts of every book that I will appreciate and agree with. There will almost always be parts of every book that I do not. I pray for discernment and continue reading, hoping to gain some insight. In this case, I am slightly frustrated so far. In parts of the book, the author explains that if a child behaves in a way in which is unpleasing, manipulating and demanding-it is because we as the parents have trained them that way. However, my child, was genuinely born this way. Remember the story of how he nursed for 6 hours straight on the night he was born? I didn't "train" him to be so demanding! I did give in to my newborn baby's need to eat and maybe the "training" started by my continuing to do so, but my point is that I disagree with that part of the book. No excuses for Braden, except for that I just plain disagree.

Because, although he is demanding, exhausting, frustrating and life-consuming for me, he can also be very tolerable, obedient and good. He possesses many great characteristics that I know are direct answers from the prayers that his dad & I have prayed over his life. And I know deep in my spirit, that we are absolutely training him up in the way he should go--the best way we know how. And the best way we know how is by leaning on the Word, the direction of the Holy Spirit, and one another. And it is exhilarating to know that this child will be taught the things of God, whose word cannot return void (Isaiah 55:11)!

What do you pray over your sons?We pray for Braden's future, for his future wife (who needs lots of prayer;), and for peace in his life. We pray against things like anger & anxiety, alcoholism & other addictions. We pray against sickness and disease in his body. We pray that the Lord would send His hand of protection over Braden's life in ways that we don't even know right now. We pray against secrets in his heart. We pray against things like molestation and drug addiction. We pray that even now, as a young boy, that He would hear the voice of God and recognize it...

We pray that he would be a leader. A protector. A force for his sisters. We pray that he would take initiative and live a life for Jesus. We pray for his salvation. We pray for constant yearning for the Word. We pray that the Lord would dwell in each corner of his room (and our home), and that we would feel Him. We pray for his life, that it would be good and pleasing to the Lord...

We pray that he would be loving and gentle to those who are less fortunate. That he would see a need and meet it according to the quickening in his heart. We pray that he would have joy...

We do not pray to change this boy, or anything about his personality. We only pray that God would use his character for the greater good. We pray that God would find a way to use Braden's voice (that just loves to be heard) to further the kingdom...

We pray that he would be successful and educated. That he would have a desire to serve others and give of himself. We pray that he would touch people's lives from the moment they meet him...

We pray against the enemy and all of the plans that he will try to set into motion in Braden's life. We pray in the name of Jesus that there would be a perfect hedge of protection around our little boy and his spirit. That he would not be crushed, or low in spirit but that he would be mighty in the Word and mighty for God...

We pray for sweet dreams, good days and gentle hands. A heart that is not judging and respect for those around him.

But let me repeat: we do not pray to change this child in any way.

He is a child of God. God created him and it is simply our job to ask the Lord for guidance while molding, shaping and training him. We are doing our best, and I know he will be just fine.

"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise."

Deuteronomy 6:7

"Discipline your son and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart."